embryonic

adjective

em·​bry·​on·​ic ˌem-brē-ˈä-nik 

1

: of or relating to an embryo

2

: being in an early stage of development : incipient, rudimentary

an embryonic plan

embryonically

ˌem-brē-ˈä-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of embryonic in a Sentence

The tourism industry there is still in an embryonic stage.

Recent Examples on the Web

The string of suits says the solution was missing a key ingredient for embryonic growth: Magnesium. —Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2024

And then the little creature would come out and chew through its embryonic sac. —Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 16 Aug. 2024

The embryonic Xenomorph emerging violently from John Hurt’s chest in the original Alien is as iconic as anything in cinema, and some version of it has appeared in every franchise sequel or prequel since then. —Christian Holub, EW.com, 16 Aug. 2024

Her getting into the lake on her own is embryonic, in a way. —Olivia-Anne Cleary, TIME, 29 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin embryonicus, from embryon-, embryo embryo + Latin -icus -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1740, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing embryonic

• embryonic disc
• embryonic membrane

Kids Definition

embryonic

adjective

em·​bry·​on·​ic ˌem-brē-ˈän-ik 

1

: of or relating to an embryo

2

: being in an early stage of development

an embryonic plan

embryonically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

embryonic

adjective

em·​bry·​on·​ic ˌem-brē-ˈän-ik 

1

: of or relating to an embryo

2

: being in an early stage of development : incipient, rudimentary

embryonically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb